USM-GCRL Hurricane Preparedness Plan – June 2020 – 1 University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Hurricane Preparedness Plan The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) Director and/or Associate Director, in consultation with the COA Department Chair, GCRL Center and administrative directors, and University administration, will determine whether the GCRL will enact full hurricane (or storm) emergency procedures. These procedures may include securing offices, teaching/research laboratories, vehicles and boats and necessary computer data backup. In addition, the GCRL Director and/or Associate Director will determine whether the Dormitory, Faculty House and cottages will be evacuated. Depending on the nature of the storm and its threat, less stringent preparations may be in order. Faculty members, Center directors, principal investigators and supervisors are responsible for seeing that their offices, laboratories and equipment (particularly items stored outside) are secured. Faculty, students and staff will be called upon to help secure the remainder of the GCRL. The alert levels given below shall serve as guidelines. All final decisions on enactment of response levels will be coordinated with the USM Incident Commander. This plan is specific to storm preparedness actions for the GCRL sites and supplements the Hurricane Preparedness Information provided by the University via email on 07 June 2018 (Appendix A). NOTICE: In the event a mandatory evacuation is issued, no building at the Halstead or Cedar Point campuses is to be used as a shelter. Level 1 Alert There is tropical storm or hurricane activity with a potential for landfall along the northern Gulf of Mexico. 1. The GCRL Director or Associate Director will notify GCRL faculty, staff, and students of the storm activity. (Joe Griffitt, Read Hendon) 2. In advance of a predicted Tropical Storm or Category 1-2 Hurricane, the USM Residence Life Coordinator will verify that evacuation accommodations at the Hattiesburg campus are available for students when the Summer Field Program is in session; for a predicted Category 3+ Hurricane, Summer Field Program students will be alerted that they may be discharged for relocation on their own accord. Assistance with accommodations for other overnight visitors will be provided as appropriate. (Sam Clardy, Ben Weldon) 3. Computer data and files should be backed up and secure any equipment. (All individuals) a. Eagle Backup (https://www.usm.edu/itech/eagle-backup) b. MS Office 365 OneDrive (https://www.usm.edu/itech/microsoft-office-365) c. External hard drives 4. Chain saws and supplies are to be checked. (Luke Applewhite) 5. Fuel for emergency generators will be obtained. (Luke Applewhite)
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University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research … · 2020-06-18 · Gulf Coast Research Laboratory Hurricane Preparedness Plan The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) Director
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USM-GCRL Hurricane Preparedness Plan – June 2020 – 1
University of Southern Mississippi
Gulf Coast Research Laboratory
Hurricane Preparedness Plan
The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (GCRL) Director and/or Associate Director, in
consultation with the COA Department Chair, GCRL Center and administrative directors, and
University administration, will determine whether the GCRL will enact full hurricane (or storm)
emergency procedures. These procedures may include securing offices, teaching/research
laboratories, vehicles and boats and necessary computer data backup. In addition, the GCRL
Director and/or Associate Director will determine whether the Dormitory, Faculty House and
cottages will be evacuated. Depending on the nature of the storm and its threat, less stringent
preparations may be in order.
Faculty members, Center directors, principal investigators and supervisors are responsible for
seeing that their offices, laboratories and equipment (particularly items stored outside) are
secured. Faculty, students and staff will be called upon to help secure the remainder of the
GCRL.
The alert levels given below shall serve as guidelines. All final decisions on enactment of
response levels will be coordinated with the USM Incident Commander. This plan is specific to
storm preparedness actions for the GCRL sites and supplements the Hurricane Preparedness
Information provided by the University via email on 07 June 2018 (Appendix A).
NOTICE: In the event a mandatory evacuation is issued, no building at the Halstead or
Cedar Point campuses is to be used as a shelter.
Level 1 Alert There is tropical storm or hurricane activity with a potential for landfall along the northern Gulf
of Mexico.
1. The GCRL Director or Associate Director will notify GCRL faculty, staff, and students
of the storm activity. (Joe Griffitt, Read Hendon)
2. In advance of a predicted Tropical Storm or Category 1-2 Hurricane, the USM Residence
Life Coordinator will verify that evacuation accommodations at the Hattiesburg campus
are available for students when the Summer Field Program is in session; for a predicted
Category 3+ Hurricane, Summer Field Program students will be alerted that they may be
discharged for relocation on their own accord. Assistance with accommodations for other
overnight visitors will be provided as appropriate. (Sam Clardy, Ben Weldon)
3. Computer data and files should be backed up and secure any equipment. (All individuals)
a. Eagle Backup (https://www.usm.edu/itech/eagle-backup)
b. MS Office 365 OneDrive (https://www.usm.edu/itech/microsoft-office-365)
c. External hard drives
4. Chain saws and supplies are to be checked. (Luke Applewhite)
5. Fuel for emergency generators will be obtained. (Luke Applewhite)
Marine Education Center Interim Director, Jessica Kastler - 228-818-8090, 985-856-5706
Summer Field Program Coordinator, Sam Clardy - 228-818-8089, 228-238-5784
Housing & Conference Services Manager, Ben Weldon - 228-257-9794
Department of Coastal Sciences Interim Chair, Leila Hamdan - 228-818-8011
Center for Fisheries Research & Development Interim Director, Jill Hendon - 228-872-4242,
228-235-4601
Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center Director, Kelly Lucas - 228-818-8026, 228-990-
0338
SOSE Director of External Relations, Pam Moeller - 228-818-8847, 228-217-5687
GCRL iTech, John Hart - 228-872-4227
USM-GCRL Hurricane Preparedness Plan – June 2020 – 8
APPENDIX A: USM Hurricane Preparedness Information (from 07 June 2018 email)
The 2018 hurricane season began on June 1 and will continue through November 30. Students, faculty and staff should prepare now in the event a hurricane threatens The University of Southern Mississippi’s campuses, teaching and research sites.
You can download the 2018 Hurricane Preparedness Guide provided by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at http://www.msema.org/hurricane2018/. You should also be aware of the following institutional protocols that will be in effect for the entire hurricane season. Institutional Protocols
If a tropical weather system emerges, University officials will monitor weather closely to determine if a school closure or cancellation of classes is warranted.
If a hurricane or other significant weather system is expected to impact the University, advance information will be distributed through University email accounts, and relevant emergency advisories will be shared through the Eagle Alert emergency notification system.
If a major hurricane is predicted to threaten the University, all USM locations will be evacuated for your safety, as well as the safety of local emergency responders. If these extreme circumstances occur:
USM will provide as much notice as possible, with the goal of initiating evacuation procedures at least 48 hours prior to landfall.
You will be required to evacuate USM campuses, teaching and research sites until the threat has passed or the University has completed its initial recovery.
Students who live in USM residence halls will be asked to notify their resident assistants of their evacuation plans before they leave campus.
Assistance may be provided for international students and others who need help identifying temporary housing in locations away from the storm.
If you would need assistance prior to the University closing for such an emergency, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 601.266.6028.
Hurricane Preparedness: What You Should Do Now
MEMA recommends four steps to individual hurricane preparedness:
1. Know Where to Go
2. Put Together a Disaster Supply Kit
3. Set Up Emergency Alerts
4. Establish a Communication Plan with Family and Friends Please review additional details at http://www.msema.org/be-prepared/hurricanes/.
Students, faculty and staff should also consider the following actions:
Check now to make sure your contact information is up-to-date in the University’s Eagle Alert system: https://www.usm.edu/safety/eagle-alert.
Monitor emergency communication channels outlined below.
Comply with preparedness and emergency safety advisories issued by University officials or other local or state agencies.
Back up electronic files on portable drives or, for University-owned computers, through Eagle Backup.
If the University closes, take valuable personal property with you as you leave campus.
USM-GCRL Hurricane Preparedness Plan – June 2020 – 9
Emergency Communication Channels
Eagle Alert is the official emergency communication channel for the University. Faculty, staff and students are required to receive alerts via email. You may also receive alerts via phone call and/or text message. Review and update your contact information at https://www.usm.edu/safety/eagle-alert.
You may add other phone numbers, including parent or family member phone numbers, into the system under your record.
All USM emergency messages are posted at SouthernMiss.info. Related information may also be communicated through University accounts on Facebook and Twitter, media outlets and emergency notifications at usm.edu.